Electric switch



Jan. 4, 1949.

L. BULGARINI 2,458,056

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 24, 1945 INVENTOR BULGARIN) ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED I STATES, PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC swrrou Luis Bulgarini, Buenos Aires, Argentina, assignor of thirty-two and one-half per cent to Sara Maria Iribarren de Olariaga and thirty-two and one-half per cent to Percy Forster I Application September 24, 1945, SerialNo. 618,080

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to circuit controlling devices and more particularly relates to an electrical switch in which the contact element is freely movable between a position in which it closes the contact between two resilient contact members and a position in which said contact element is out of contact with at least one of said resilient contact members. The resilient pressure of said spring contact members is used to sharply eject the freely movable contact element, so as to obtain a swift contact breaking action.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a quick closing and quick opening switch of simplified construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating two embodiments of the invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section. of one form of a complete switch in accordance with the present invention with cover partly broken away and showing the contact parts in the closed circuit position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the switch illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the contact parts in the open circuit position.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the spring contact members and related parts, corresponding to the switch of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a second form of a switch made in accordance with this invention, showing the contact parts in the closed circuit position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the switch illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the contact parts in the opened circuit position.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the spring contact members and related parts, corresponding to the switch of Figs. 4 and 5.

The same reference characters are used to indicate like or corresponding parts or elements through the drawings.

Referring now in detail to the switch illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the numeral I0 indicates a casing of circular form and constructed of insulating material and having the rear wall Inc integral therewith, the front Illa of the casing being constituted by a cap which may be frictionally or otherwise applied to the side wall lflb. A pair of spring contact members II and I2 is secured to the rear wall I00 of the casing by screws or like fastening members I3 and I4 and the opposite terminal of the contact member II is curved as at 24 so as to underlie the corresponding end of the member |2 as clearly shown in Figure 3. The

fastening members I3and I4 constitute connections whereby electrical conductors I5 may be secured to the members II and I2 so that when an electrical connection between the two latter parts is formed the circuit in which the switch is interposed is closed.

The inner surface of at least one of the spring contact members II or I2 is formed with a seat or depression I6 in which a contact ball I! isbers II and I2 is sufficient to retain the contact ball in operative position between the members II and I2.

A segmental actuating member I8 is mounted to rotate within the circular wall of the casing I0 and projects through a cut away portion I9 provided therein. A finger piece 20 is secured to the projecting portion of the segmental member for convenience in turningthe latter from one position to another within the casing. The actuating member is also formed of insulating material and is provided internally with a pair of projections 2| and 22 disposed on opposite sides of the contact ball I! and arranged to freely pass between the spring contact members I I and I2 as the actuating member I8 is moved between the two positions shown in Figures 3 and 4.

When the switch is closed as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the actuating member I8 occupies the position indicated in Figure 1 in which the projections 2| and 22 are disposed on opposite sides of the ball II. As the actuating member I8 is turned from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 2, the projection 2| engages and moves the contact ball II thereby separating the spring contacts I I and I2 until the portion of the ball of greatest diameter has passed whereupon the tension of the spring contacts forceably and swiftly ejects the contact ball and instantaneously breaks the contact established between the members II and I2 by the ball H. The position occupied by the contact ball I! when the switch is open is illustrated in Figure 2 and to prevent the ball from moving out of position from between the projections 2| and 22, a guard member 23 is provided within the casing Ill. The projection between the contact members II and I2. When the actuating member I8 is restored to the position shown in Figure 1, the projection 22 engaging the contact ball I! presses the latter into position between the contact members II and 12 in which it is held by engagement of the seat I6.

The contact element I7 may be either in the form of a spherical body as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 or may be of cylindrical form. In either case, however, it is desirable to form the spring? contact members I I and I2 with diverging projections 24 at the point where the contact ball I! emerges when the switch is opened and enterswhen the switch is closed. The divergent portions 24 further act to accelerate the speed with which the contact element is ejected from between the spring contact members and thus improves the anti-sparking quality of the switch.

The actuating member I8 is held in either of its two positions by frictional engagement with the casing 10, its movement being limited by contact of the finger piece 26 with the casing of the switch. i

What I claim is:

In a switch, a-casing, spring contact members, a seat in at least one of said members, an entirely conducting contact ball. freely movable in a limited path defined in said casing, said ballbeing engaged and retained in. said seat by thetension of said spring members, a rotatable member provided with one projection for displacing said contact ball relative to said spring members to act to sharply eject the ball out of engagement therewith to open the switch and another projection for forcibly returning said ball. into engagement with said spring member to close the switch, the first mentioned projection being adapted when the rotatable member is in the Dositicn which corresponds to the opening of the switch, to act as a stop to retain the ball out of contact with at least one of said spring contact members.

2.111 a switch, a casing, spring. contact mem.- bars, a seat in at least one of said members, an

entirely conductin contact ball freelymonable a limited path defined in said casing, said ball be ing. engaged and retained in said seat by the: tension of saidspring members, a rotatable member provided with one projectionfor displacing said contact ball relative to said spring members to act to sharply eject the ball out of engagement therewith to open the switch and another projection for forcibly returning said ball into engagement with said spring members to close the switch, the first mentioned projection being adapted when the rotatable member is in the position. which corresponds to the opening of the switch, to act as a stop to retain the ball out of contact with at least one of said spring contact members, and said rotatable member being frictionally engaged by said casing.

3'. In a switch, a casing, spring contact members, a seat in at least one of said members, an

electric conducting cont-act element freely movable in a limited path defined in said casing between the rear and front walls of said casing, the inner face of a ring shaped rotating member, and a guard member projecting from one of the end walls of said casing and arranged to complete a closure within which said contact element is displaced, said ball being engaged and retained in said seat by the tension of said spring members, and the ring shapedrotating member being provided with one inner projection for displacing said contact ball relative to said spring members to act to sharply eject the ball out of engagement therewith to open the switch and another inner projection for forcibly returning said ball into engagement with said spring. members to close the switch, the first mentioned projection. being adapted when the rotatingimember is in the position which corresponds to the opening of the switch, to act as a stop to retain the ball out of contact with at least one of said spring contact members.

LUIS- BULGARINI.

REFERENCES CITED following references are of record in the file of" this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

